Preface

After my graduation from M.T.B Art’s College, Surat (in 2003) I enroll myself in M.A. (Entire Sanskrit) from June 2003. Since the first day of my commencement in the Department of Sanskrit, Pali & Prakrit, Arts (MSU), we (i.e. the newly enrolled students in the classes of S.Y.B.A. major Sanskrit and M.A. Part I Sanskrit Entire) were invited affectionately through the welcome function. This was a wonderfully exciting experience for all the students, because we are introduced to the scholar teachers of the department and sincere senior students as well.

Initially I faced many problems such as the problem of medium of the instruction, staying in hostel, hostel food, etc. But I myself personally forgot almost all the problems after an initial contact with the then head of the department Prof. Dr. Jaydev Arunoday Jani. This was not the experience of my alone. Other teachers of the department were also cordial, sincere and affectionate with all the students.

During my studies in M.A., I happened to meet and discuss my academic problems with Prof. Jani which were solved by him in no time. I cultivated the feeling of High respect in him, because he made me overcome the problems of English medium by taking personal care and interest in me.

After the completion of my post graduate studies I expressed my deep interest in further studies of Sanskrit language and literature to Prof. Jani. I was interested in the further study in the Area of the Datta cult for the reason that I had my deep interest in Datta studies which was underling in me from my early childhood. The credit goes to my parents Smt. Geetaben and Shri Sudhirbhai Upadhyay. My mother used to read the holy books of Datta cult and my father, being a Brahmin Priest learnt the procedure of the religious practices of the Datta cult under his maternal uncle late Shri Vinodchandra N. Joshi (Kahni, dist. Bardoli) whose teacher was late Shri Shivprashad Joshi (Rajpipala) (traditional scholar of Datta cult).

Considering the fact that my interest lies in Datta cult, Prof. Dr. Jani suggested me to conduct my research on the books written in the same tradition. He indicated to read Dvisāhasrī written by H. H. Ṭembesvāmī who is believed to be the incarnation of Lord Dattātreya. He stands next to Ādi Śankarācārya who wrote many treatises and eulogies of various gods and goddesses of different places He visited.

Dvisāhasrī falls under the category of a Mahākāvya of the Modern Sanskrit Literature. It comprises of the main topic of 23 chapters preceded by the Gurustuti and appended with two Rahasyas. It narrates the Divine sports of Lord Dattātreya (in chapters 01-04) as well as His two incarnations Viz. Śrīpāda Śrīvallabha (in the chapters 05-07) and Śrī Nṛsiṃhasarasvatī (in chapters 08-23). It incorporates the Indian Philosophy esp. the Absolute Monism of Ādi Śaṅkarācārya. Well blended with the path of Devotion.

H. H. Ṭembesvāmī is famous for his scholarship. The present thesis aims at focusing on the H. H. Ṭembesvāmī’s scholarship, diction, devotional love, and His prolific writing arrived at through the research methodology of the textual analysis which is supported with the contents of His auto-commentary (svopajñaṭīkā).

For the completion of the present thesis I pay obeisance to my guiding teacher Prof. Dr. Jaydev Jani who has been ready to guide me in cracking the hard nuts of the Dvisāhasrī and its autocommentary. I bow down to madam Mrs. Latika Jaydev Jani whose blessing and support have helped me through cordial welcome and motherly care. I thank my Sanskrit teachers the present head Dr. R. K. Panda, Retd. Prof. Dr. Umaben Deshpande, Retd. Prof. B. P. Pandya, late Prof. Dr. L. M. Joshi, Dr. Smt. Kusumben Mehr and Dr Smt. Sweta Jejurkar for their nature of giving enthusiasm.

I thank Dr Mahesh Patel (Assistant Professor in S. P. Uni. V. V. Nagar) who helped me in typing all the Sanskrit text of my thesis. I thank also Dr. Gargi Pandit for her valuable suggestions and other co-student of Prof. Dr. Jani for extending their support and best wishes. I cannot forget Shri Manoj Upadhyay for typing the App. 03 containing the citations of the auto commentary.

I bow down to my grandparents Smt. Hemlataben and late Shri Bhagubhai Upadhyay, my parents Smt. Geetaben and Shri Sudhirbhai and my elder brother Shri Nahushbhai and Smt. Parulbhabhi. I remember all the time the sweet inspiring words of my nephews chi. Yayati and chi. Atreya.

How can I forget my wife Smt. Payal? I thank her heartily for her continuous inspiration and support to carry out the household matters in my absence or even in my present.

I thank my friend Mr. Kirti Vithani (Assistant professor, R. K. Shah women’s Arts College, Amaroli -Surat) for valuable suggeions and some of the emendations.

I specially thank to Uttambhai Paramar (Secretary, Kim Education Society), Dr. Jagadish Kantharia (Former Principal, Shri P. H. Umarao Arts & Commerce college, Kim -Surat), Smt. Chintanben Bhatt (Principal, Shri P. H. Umarao Arts & Commerce college, Kim -Surat) for not only availing me ample facilities but also for their constant motivation. This proved to be a great help and a praiseworthy support. I do thank the fellow teachers and the staff of Shri P. H. Umarao Arts & Commerce college, Kim.

Mihirkumar S. Upadhyay

Place: Vadodara
Date: 14/09/2012